Vehicle acess ladder

ABSTRACT

An access ladder for the elevated operator&#39;&#39;s platform of a vehicle, the ladder being swingably mounted on the platform for movement between a first position wherein the ladder extends vertically downwardly from the access side of the platform, and a second position wherein the ladder extends horizontally across the access side of the platform and serves as a guard rail therefor. A latch mechanism on the platform retains the ladder in either position.

nited States Patent Hemken 51 Apr. 18, 1972 [54] VEHIHCLE ACESS LADDER 2,657,940 11/1953 Davidson 182/97 [72] Inventor: Peter Chauncey Hemken Le Claire, Iowa 2,967,584 1/1961 Westerlund ..182/97 [73] Assignee: Deere 81 Company, Moline, 111. Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado 'Anomeyl-1. Vincent Harsha, Harold M. Knoth, William A. [22] Flled- 1970 Murray, John M. Nolan and Raymond L. Hollister [2]] Appl. No.: 86,111

[57] ABSTRACT 52 U.S. c1 ..182/20,182/97,182/115 An access adder the elevated Operator's Platform of a [51] Int CL 5/04 vehicle, the ladder being swingably mounted on the platform [58] Field of Search 182/20 2] 97 129 115 for movement between a first position wherein the ladder extends vertically downwardly from the access side of the platform, and a second position wherein the ladder extends [56] References Cited horizontally across the access side of the platform and serves UNITED STATES PATENTS as a guard rail therefor. A latch mechanism on the platform retains the ladder in either position. 3,190,392 6/1965 Ashton ....182/97 1,568,846 1/1926 Jones ..182/97 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 18 1972 SEEN 10F 2 g ov :44

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h 3 N6 mm INVENTOR. PETER C. HEMKEN VEHICLE ACESS LADDER BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an access ladder for the elevated operators platform of a vehicle, and more particularly to a ladder swingable between a normal vertical position and a horizontal position wherein the ladder serves as a guard rail for the platform.

Due to the size and configuration of certain self-propelled vehicles, the operators station or platform thereof is necessarily positioned at a substantial elevation from the ground. The operators platform on a self-propelled combine, for example, is conventionally located above the threshing mechanism and the large front drive wheels of the machine, and access to the platform is gained by a ladder extending downwardly from one side thereof. The presence of the access ladder on the combine has, however, been a problem in the past. When operating in tall crops, for example, the crop tends to snag on the ladder as the machine advances through the field. In addition, the ladder normally obstructs access to mechanisms located on the machine behind the ladder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an access ladder for the elevated operators platform of a combine or the like, the ladder being swingable from its normal position to a raised position wherein it will neither interfere with tall crops nor obstruct access to mechanisms on the vehi cle. It is a further object to provide such a ladder which functions as a guard rail for the access side of the platform when in the raised position. It is another object of the invention to provide a latch mechanism on the operators platform to maintain the ladder in either its normal or raised position.

ln pursuance of these and other objects, the invention comprises a ladder pivotally mounted on the platform for movement between a first or normal position wherein the ladder extends vertically downwardly from the access side of the platform, and a second or raised position wherein the ladder extends horizontally across the side of the platform and functions as a guard rail therefor. The axis of the pivotal connection is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the edge of the platform, whereby the ladder moves through a generally vertical plane parallel with the edge of the platform as it is swung between its alternate positions. A foot-operated, spring-biased latch mechanism is provided adjacent to the edge of the platform and is engageable with spaced points on the ladder to releasably retain the ladder in either of its two positions. One of the side rails of the ladder extends above the level of the platform and serves as a handle to move the ladder between positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary side elevation view of a combine, showing the access ladder of the invention in its normal or lowered position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the ladder in its raised position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the combine showing the ladder in its raised position; and,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The combine embodying the invention is of the conventional type and includes a pair of large drive wheels 10, a threshing mechanism located between the wheels at 12, an operators platfonn l4 positioned above the wheels and mechanism 12, an engine enclosure 16 to the right of the platform 14, and a grain tank 18 to the rear thereof. A feeder house 20, shown only partially in Figs. 1 and 2, extends forwardly from the combine and mounts a harvesting platform or form 14 includes an operators seat 22 and a steering wheel 24. A guard rail 28 extends transversely across the front side of the platform and is anchored at its left end to the platform floor 30 and at its right end to the engine enclosure 16.

Swingably mounted on the left or access side of the platform 14 is a ladder 32 comprising a pair of spaced side or hand rails 34 and 36 interconnected by four steps or rungs 38. In its nor mal or lowered position, as shown in Fig. 1, the ladder 32 ex tends vertically downwardly from the access side of the platform 14, while in its raised position, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the ladder extends horizontally across the opening on the access side and serves as a guard rail for the platform. The pivotal mounting of the ladder 32 is formed by a pivot member 40 fixed to a bracket 42 on the side rail 34 of the ladder, and a bearing member 44 fastened to the underside of the platform floor 30 and pivotally receiving the member 40. To assist in moving the ladder between positions, the upper ends of the side rails 34 and 36 extend above the floor of the platform and serve as handles for the ladder. When the ladder is in its raised or horizontal position, the the upper hand rail 36 is at substantially the same level as the front guard rail 28 and the forward end thereof curves inwardly and terminates closely adjacent to the left end of the rail 28. In like manner, the forward end of the lower rail 34 curves inwardly and terminates adjacent to the lower left end of the rail 28. The hand rails 34 and 36 thus function to guide tall crops past the platform when the ladder is in its raised position.

The ladder 32 is held in both its raised and lowered positions by means of a foot-operated latch mechanism 46 illustrated in detail in Fig. 4. The mechanism consists of a latch member 48 pivoted at 50 to the side wall 52 of the platform and biased in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, by a spring 54. The vertical outer edge of the latch member abuts the inner surface of the wall 52 to define the normal or latching position of the member. In the latter position, a U shaped hook 58 fonned on the outer end of the member extends outwardly from the wall 52 and is in position to engage and retain the ladder. When the ladder is in the raised position, the hook S8 of the member 48, as shown in Fig. 4, receives the bight portion of a U-shaped member 60 fixed to the side rail 34, and when in the lowered position, the hook 58, as shown in Fig. l, engages the inner edge of the top step 38. When the operator steps on the member 48 to pivot it counterclockwise against the urging of the spring 54, the hook 58 moves upwardly and inwardly to a position flush with the wall 52. I

To raise the ladder from its normal or lowered position, the operator merely grasps the upper end of the side rail 36 and raises the ladder slightly to remove the top step 38 from the hook 58, then steps on the member 48 to move the hook 58 inwardly flush with the wall 52, raises the ladder slightly past its horizontal position, removes his foot from the member 48, permitting it to return to its latching position, and finally lowers the ladder until the side rail 34 is engaged by the hook. To return the ladder to its lowered position, the foregoing steps are merely reversed.

I claim:

1. A vehicle having an elevated operators platform, said platform having an access side, and a guard rail extending partially around said platform, there being an access opening in said guard rail on the access side of said platform, wherein the improvement comprises: a ladder mounted on said platform for swinging movement between a first position extending substantially vertically downwardly from the access side of said platform to serve as an access ladder for said platform, and a second position extending substantially horizontally across the access opening on the access side of said platform to serve as a guard rail for said platform; pivotal connection means for mounting said ladder on said platform, the axis of said pivotal connection means being substantially horizontal and extending substantially perpendicular to the access side of said platform; and latch means on said platform engageable with said ladder and operable to retain said ladder in either its first or header (not shown) on its forward end. The operators platsecond position.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said ladder includes a pair of parallel side rails and at least one of said side rails extends vertically above said platform when said ladder is in its first position and serves as a handle for swinging said ladder between its first and second positions.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the side rail serving as a handle is above the other side rail when said ladder is in its second position.

4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a foot-operated, spring-biased latch member mounted on the platform adjacent to the edge of the access side, and said ladder has first and second latch-receiving means engageable with said latch means when said ladder is in its first and second positions, respectively.

5. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said ladder includes a pair of parallel hand rails which extend outwardly from the access side of the platform and, when the ladder is in its second position, serves to guide tall crops past the platform.

6. In a vehicle having a substantially horizontal, elevated operators platform, the platform including an access opening, a ladder mounted on the platform for swinging movement through a generally vertical plane between a first position extending vertically downwardly from the access opening to serve as an access ladder for the platform, and a second position extending horizontally across the opening to serve as a protective guard rail for the platform; pivot means mounting the ladder on the platform, the axis of said pivot means being substantially parallel with the platform and extending perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the ladder; and means on the platform engageable with spaced points on the ladder and operable to retain the ladder in either its first or second position. a

7. The invention defined in claim 6 including a guard rail on said platform terminating adjacent to the access opening, and wherein the ladder includes a pair of spaced side rails, and the upper of said side rails when the ladder is in its second position is at substantially the same level as the guard rail and forms a continuation thereof across the access opening.

8. A vehicle having a substantially horizontal, elevated operators platform, the platform including an access side and a guard rail on its front side terminating short of the access side to define one end of an access opening on the access side; a ladder mounted on the platform for swinging movement through a generally vertical plane between a first position extending vertically downwardly from the access side to serve as an access ladder for the platform, and a second position extending horizontally across the opening to serve as a protective guard rail for the platform, the ladder in its second position having a portion forming a continuation of the guard rail on the front side of the platform, said portion having a terminal end disposed adjacent to the end of the front guard rail and extending from said terminal end around the corner defined by the front and side of the platform and thence rearwardly along the side; pivot means mounting the ladder on the platform, the axis of said pivot means being substantially parallel with the platform and extending perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the ladder; and means on the platform engageable with spaced points on the ladder and operable to retain the ladder in either its first or second position.

9. A vehicle having a substantially horizontal, elevated operators platform, the platform including an access side and a guard rail partially enclosing the front side of the platform and tenninating short of the access side to define one end of an access opening on the access side; a ladder mounted on the platform for movement between a first position extending downwardly from the access opening to serve as an access ladder for the platfonn, and a second position extending horizontally across the opening to serve as a protective guard rail for the platform, the ladder in its second position having a portion forming a continuation of the guard rail on the front side of the platform, said portion having a terminal end disposed adjacent to the end of the front guard rail, and extending from said tenninal end around the comer defined by the front and side of the platform and thence rearwardly along the side; and means for releasably maintaining said ladder in its first and second position.

10. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said ladder is mounted on said platform for swinging movement through a generally vertical plane between its first and second positions.

11. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein a portion of the ladder forming a continuation of the guard rail on the front side of the platform extends vertically above said platform and inwardly of the access side thereof when said ladder is in its first position, said portion serving as a handle for swinging the ladder between its first and second positions.

12. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said means for releasably maintaining said ladder in its first and second positions comprises a spring biased latch mounted on the platform adjacent to the access side and engageable with first and second spaced portions of said ladder, said portions being disposed adjacent to said latch when the latter is in its first and second positions, respectively. 

1. A vehicle having an elevated operator''s platform, said platform having an access side, and a guard rail extending partially around said platform, there being an access opening in said guard rail on the access side of said platform, wherein the improvement comprises: a ladder mounted on said platform for swinging movement between a first position extending substantially vertically downwardly from the access side of said platform to serve as an access ladder for said platform, and a second position extending substantially horizontally across the access opening on the access side of said platform to serve as a guard rail for said platform; pivotal connection means for mounting said ladder on said platform, the axis of said pivotal connection means being substantially horizontal and extending substantially perpendicular to the access side of said platform; and latch means on said platform engageable with said ladder and operable to retain said ladder in either its first or second position.
 2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said ladder includes a pair of parallel side rails and at least one of said side rails extends vertically above said platform when said ladder is in its first position and serves as a handle for swinging said ladder between its first and second positions.
 3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the side rail serving as a handle is above the other side rail when said ladder is in its second position.
 4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a foot-operated, spring-biased latch member mounted on the platform adjacent to the edge of the access side, and said ladder has first and second latch-receiving means engageable with said latch means when said ladder is in its first and second positions, respectively.
 5. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said ladder includes a pair of parallel hand rails which extend outwardly from the access side of the platform and, when the ladder is in its second position, serves to guide tall crops past the platform.
 6. In a vehicle having a substantially horizontal, elevated operator''s platform, the platform including an access opening, a ladder mounted on the platform for swinging movement through a generally vertical plane between a first position extending vertically downwardly from the access opening to serve as an access ladder for the platform, and a second position extending horizontally across the opening to serve as a protective guard rail for the platform; pivot means mounting the ladder on the platform, the axis of said pivot means being substantially parallel with the platform and extending perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the ladder; and means on the platform engageable with spaced points on the ladder and operable to retain the ladder in either its first or second position.
 7. The invention defined in claim 6 including a guard rail on said platform terminating adjacent to the access opening, and wherein the ladder includes a pair of spaced side rails, and the upper of said side rails when the ladder is in its second position is at substantially the same level as the guard rail and forms a continuation thereof across the access opening.
 8. A vehicle having a substantially horizontal, elevated operator''s platform, the platform including an access side and a guard rail on its front side terminating short of the access side to define one end of an access opening on the access side; a ladder mounted on the platform for swinging movement through a generally vertical plane between a first position extending vertically downwardly from the access side to serve as an access ladder for the platform, and a second position extending horizontally across the opening to serve as a protective guard rail for the platform, the ladder in its second position having a portion forming a continuation of the guard rail on The front side of the platform, said portion having a terminal end disposed adjacent to the end of the front guard rail and extending from said terminal end around the corner defined by the front and side of the platform and thence rearwardly along the side; pivot means mounting the ladder on the platform, the axis of said pivot means being substantially parallel with the platform and extending perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the ladder; and means on the platform engageable with spaced points on the ladder and operable to retain the ladder in either its first or second position.
 9. A vehicle having a substantially horizontal, elevated operator''s platform, the platform including an access side and a guard rail partially enclosing the front side of the platform and terminating short of the access side to define one end of an access opening on the access side; a ladder mounted on the platform for movement between a first position extending downwardly from the access opening to serve as an access ladder for the platform, and a second position extending horizontally across the opening to serve as a protective guard rail for the platform, the ladder in its second position having a portion forming a continuation of the guard rail on the front side of the platform, said portion having a terminal end disposed adjacent to the end of the front guard rail, and extending from said terminal end around the corner defined by the front and side of the platform and thence rearwardly along the side; and means for releasably maintaining said ladder in its first and second position.
 10. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said ladder is mounted on said platform for swinging movement through a generally vertical plane between its first and second positions.
 11. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein a portion of the ladder forming a continuation of the guard rail on the front side of the platform extends vertically above said platform and inwardly of the access side thereof when said ladder is in its first position, said portion serving as a handle for swinging the ladder between its first and second positions.
 12. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said means for releasably maintaining said ladder in its first and second positions comprises a spring biased latch mounted on the platform adjacent to the access side and engageable with first and second spaced portions of said ladder, said portions being disposed adjacent to said latch when the latter is in its first and second positions, respectively. 